Vending machine



April M, 1936. M. H. LOUGHRIDGE VENDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 12, 1931 INVENTOR.

E G D R H G U 0 L H M VENDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 12, 1931 INVENTOR.

April 14, 1936. M, H, LOUGHRIDGE 2,03 2% VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 12, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENDING MACHINE Matthew H. Loughridge, Bogota, N.J. Application February 12, 1931, Serial No. 515,289

2'7 Claims.

This invention relates to vending machines which may be coin controlled and some of its.

objects are to provide a vending machine for articles of food which has to be preserved at a low temperature, to provide a vending machine for delivering a measured quantity of the material. Further objects of the invention include a detachable container for the material. The invention further includes a cooperative action between a plurality of delivery devices, the one being ancillary to the other, sometimes called a two-stage machine, an interlocking arrangement whereby the machine cannot be improperly operated and in which each operation must be completed before another operationcan be started. Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of measuring containers for a liquid controlled by a valve and operative to deliver a measured quantity of the liquid by changing the position of the containers. The invention also resides in the construction and arrangement of the parts whereby the mechanism can be readily cleaned and kept in a sanitary condition.

The invention is described in detail in the following specification and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a vending machine for vending liquids according to this invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly sectioned, showing the operating mechanism used in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the measuring containers and locking mechanism; Fig. 4 is an elevation corresponding to Fig. 3 with certain parts of the measuring containers and the valve mechanism shown in. section; Fig. 5 is a detail of the toggle mechanism used to rock the measuring containers; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section of the valve mechanism and spigot attachment; Figs. 7 and 8 are details of the valve mechanism for feeding and discharging the measuring containers; Fig. 9 is a sectional front view of the measuring containers in the position reversed to that shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 10 is a detail, partly sectioned, showing the valve parts leading to the measuring containers; Fig. 11 is a plan view of the locking mechanism whereby the operation of the machine is locked and released for operation; Fig. 12 is a side elevation, partly sectioned, corresponding to Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a transverse elevation, partly sectioned, of the locking mechanism as shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 14 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 11, but

' with the locking mechanism in the reversed position relative to Fig. 11.

Some of the features of this invention apply to vending machines in general, and other features are specific to a plurality of operating mechanisms, as fully described in the specifica- I tion.

Machines constructed according to. this in- 5 vention may be used for dispensing liquids, in which a coin releases the mechanism so that in the first operation a cup is delivered and at the same time the measuring containers are released for operation. These containers preferably com- 19 prise a pair of cups arranged to rock upon the spigot outlet of the liquid reservoir and are so constructed that when they are rocked in one direction, one of the containers is raised and the other is lowered and this operation .of rocking -1 5 the containers connects the-one that is raised with the discharge orifice and connects the one that is lowered with the supply reservoir so that as one cup is being discharged, the other is being refilled. A handle is provided for rocking these 20 containers and its movement is controlled by the locking mechanism in such a way that it can only make one movement for each movement of the locking mechanism, thus maintaining the condition of synchronism between the locking 5 mechanism and the movement of the cup containers. The locking mechanism, as shown in the drawings, has a reciprocating movement which moves it to the right for one operation of the cup containers and moves to the left for 30 the next operation of the cup containers and again move's'it to the right for the next operation of the cup containers so that the cups are alternately filled and refilled each time the mechanism is unlocked by a coin. 35

The invention is shown in connection with dispensing liquids which may be suitably refrigerated or chilled in the storage reservoir.

One application of this invention to liquid dispensing machines will be understood from Figs. 40 1 and 2 in which llll is the front of a machine preferably of the type which is mechanically refrigerated and contains an interior reservoir of liquid I04 which is fed from the detachable reservoir I05. The case is preferably heat insulated as indicated at I02 and may contain the brine tank 103 surrounding the liquid receptacle )4. The cup container 16 is preferably mounted in front of the machine with a cup delivery orifice at I01 and also a coin slot mechanism I08 is mounted on front of the machine for receiving the coin to permit the operation and provided with a rotating handle I09 which connects with the crank II! on the interior and operatesthe locking mechanism, hereafter to be described, .55

and also through connection II 8 operates the cup dispenser I06 to deliver a cup for each movement of the rod II8. It should be understood that the cup dispenser is a commercial article and it is unnecessary to describe it in detail, at this time. The front of the machine is also provided with a spigot II2 for delivering the liquid, an operating handle III) for operating the delivery mechanism and a tray II3 for supporting the cup 'below "the spigot.

The liquid dispenser as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 6, and 9 will now be described. The receiving tank I94 is provided with an outlet pipe I42, Fig. 6 and to this pipe the stem I22 is clamped by the nut MI in such a way that the stem may be readily removed and the dispensing mechanism therewith for cleaning purposes and if necessary a removable aperture may be provided at front of the casing IUI as indicated in dotted outline .IUIa so that this mechanism may be removed and replaced.

Stem "I22 constitutes the bearing of the dispenser mechanism, the valves whereby this mech anism is controlled and supports the spigot outlet I12. It will be notedthat the inner end of stem 1.22 is 'provided with a central passage I43 which terminates in a passage I 44. It will also be noted that the outer end of this stem is provided with a central passage I45 which terminates in a transverse passage I46. Mounted upon the stem I22 are the 'measuring containers H4 and H411 which, as shown, are made of a casting I.2I having a central aperture for the stem I22 which entirely encloses the portion of the stem I22 with the transverse apertures or ports and certain passages that register with these ports .in certain' positions of the measuring or the dispensing device. The casting I2I of the dispensing device is provided with suitable covers, preferably of sheetmetal as indicated at I I4 and I I la in Fig. 3 so that each end of the dispensing device constitutes a container of like'capacity. These sheet metal covers may be made removable forsanitary reasons. .An oblique passage, as indicated at I52 in Fig. 4, leads from the bottom of the cup or container 114 to the outlet passage 145, leading to the spigot III2 and, at the same time, another passage I5I' registers with the passage I43 leading to the supply pipe I42 as indicated in Fig. 6, so that when the dispensing mechanism is in the position indicated injFig. 4, the container H4 is connected with the delivery orifice or spigot and container 411 is connected with supply reservoir. Under these conditions the container IN is emptied and the container I Me is filled.

When the .pos'it'ion of the delivery mechanism is changed to correspond with that shown in Fig. 9, the cup or container 114a .is raised and the contai-ner TM is lowered and'in this position container 114a connects, by passage I53, with the delivery orifice I45, while the container H4 is connected, by passage I54 now in register with the transverse ports I44 leading to the supply pipe 142 which permits the container M4 to be filled and the container IMa to be emptied. It will be noted irom Figs. 4, 6, 8, and 9 that the transverse ports in the stem I22 are horizontal and therefore the vertical passages, indicated in .Figs. -4 and .9, are closed while the horizontal passages are connected with the passages in the stem I22 and by reversing the'position of the container mechanism, the vertical passages are .moved to the, horizontal position and the horivzontal passages are moved to the vertical .position. This has the effect of alternately connecting one container to the supply and the other to the delivery spigot, thereby securing the desired operation. It should be observed that the delivery passage, as for instance, I52, Fig. 4 is so located as to drain the entire contents of the container when in the delivery position and, at the same time, the filling passage enters the container at the top and at this time the container is below the level of the supply reservoir. It is possible that in operation a certain amount of air may be trapped in the containers as they are being filled. However, this does not materially influence the operation of the machine, as the air pressure thus stored assists in discharging the contents when the container is brought into the discharging position.

The dispensing apparatus is operated by the handle I!!! through the shaft I23 upon which is mountedt-he T shaped member I25, with the projecting jaw I35 arranged to engage the pin I31 on the lug I38 formed integral with the casting I25. The shaft I23 is pivoted in alignment with the stem I22 so that as it is rotated to move the arm I35 to the right the pin I31 rides in the slot I36 and the spring I39 is compressed until the mechanism passes the center point whereupon the spring expands and completes the rocking movement of the delivery mechanism. This arrangement provides for rocking movement of the delivery mechanism by the exposed handle I :9 and the toggle mechanism, including the spring I39 insures a complete movement of the delivery mechanism as it passes the center point.

In order to prevent the operation of the mechanism, except when the apparatus is released, the horizontal bar I25 is provided with a pin I26 in one end and a pin i2! in the opposite end. As the handle H3 is rocked these pins intersect or engage the locking bar II5 and the locking bar prevents the rocking movement of the delivery mechanism, except when it stands in the released position. For this purpose certain slots are provided in the locking bar II5 which register with the pins I26 and I21 so that in the released position 'these'pinscan move freely through the slots in the locking bar. This movement can only be made in one direction so that when the delivery mechanism has completed its movement in one direction it cannot be moved back again by the handle I I until the locking bar has changed its position and brought a new set of slots into register with the pins I25 and I21, thereby releasing the mechanism for an operation in the reverse direction.

In Figs. 3 and 4 it will be noted that the locking bar II which slides in the guide plate H6 is provided with a pair of slots I33 and I3I and the slot I30 is provided with a spring latch I32; it is also provided with another pair of slots I28 and I29 and the slot I29 is provided with a spring latch I33 which, by the action of spring I34, is normally arranged to close the slot I29 against downward movement but permits a free upward movement through the slot.

With the locking bar in the position shown in Fig. 4 relative to the arm I25 it will be noted that pin I26 registers through slot I35 and moves freely through this slot, also pin I21 moves upward through slot I39 without obstruction, however, when the pin reaches the top of locking bar the latch I32 is forced under it and it cannot be moved back again, thus as shown in Fig. 12 the locking bar has been moved to the position so that the mechanism may be operated to elevate the container I I4 and to lower the container II Ia and no further movement of the mechanism can be made until the locking bar I I5 moves to the right so that slot I28 registers with pin I21 and slot I29 registers with pin I28. In this position it is apparent that the arm I25 may be reversed so as to bring the pin I28 above the latch I33 where the delivery mechanism is again locked with the container Il la elevate-d and the container II4 lowered. Itwill thus be noted that by the alternate movement, back and forth, of the locking bar II5, the mechanism is released for a single movement only, corresponding to each movement of the locking bar.

The coin slot mechanism I88 is a commercial article that assumes a variety of forms and may be arranged to operate the mechanism by a rotary motion or by a reciprocating motion either of which may be applied to lock'or release the arm I25 for a single movement corresponding to each movement of the coin slot mechanism. In the mechanism shown the coin slot mechanism operates a crank or cam corresponding to i I I through the shaft In a so as to produce an effective operation of limited character, in one direction only. That is to say, when a coin is inserted in the mechanism and the handle I89 rotated the crank III is moved therewith through w an idle movement and if for any reason the coin slot mechanism refuses the coin this handle movement cannot be completed and the apparatus fails to unlock. On the other hand when the idle movement is fully completed then the device performs its unlocking function by a spring action which moves it back to the starting position. This spring action on the crank II! is arranged to operate the slide alternately in opposite directions for each operation of the mechanism.

The crank II'I through the link I6I and the rod I62 moves the ratchet head II 9 in accordance with the movement of the shaft I 8911. In the position shown in Fig. 11 when the ratchet head has made a complete movement it latches at I68 to the head I64 of the lever I65 which is pivoted at I66 in the mechanism frame I61 and the lever I65 by the link I68 and the arm I88 connected at III) with the lock bar II5 moves this lock bar in the reverse direction and to substantially the same extent as the ratchet head II9 is moved. This positions the locking bar for releasing the delivery mechanism for a single movement. When the locking bar has been thus moved the detent I12 on the top of this bar is moved into the position indicated in Fig. 14. When the ratchet head H9 is again moved towards the right it latches on the detent I72 and moves the locking bar I I5 in the reverse direction to which it was previously moved and, at the same time, moves the detent head I64 forward restoring the conditions shown in Figs. 11 and 12 so that the mechanism is now in the original position and upon a third operation of the shaft 189a will move the locking bar to the first position; thus the locking bar is automatically move-d back and forth to the unlocking position for eachcornplete movement of the handle I89.

In order to insure the proper latching between the ratchet head and the detents I 64 and I I2, toggle mechanism is provided which comprises the rotating plate I82 provided with the grooved pins I83 and 984 between which the bar I62 moves. A spring I85 is provided which, in the position shown in Fig. 11 tends to rotate the plate I82 which is mountedon the pivot I8I in a direction to swing the ratchet head I I9 to engage the detent I84. As soon as the lever-I65 is moved towards the left the bar I88 attached thereto and sliding in the guide I89 engages the arm I98 connected with the plate I82 thereby rotating plate E82 so as to bring the spring I85 beyond the pivot I 8| and thereby move the plate into the position shown in Fig. 14 which applies the grooved pins or rollers I83 and I88 to the opposite sides of the bar I62 thus deflecting this bar to the position shown in Fig. 1,4 which is the latching position to engage the detent I72 on the locking bar II5. When the locking bar H5 is moved towards the left the extension I86 engages the arm I8I on the plate I82 thereby rotating this plate until the pin I83 passes beyond the center and the toggle action of the spring completes the movement of I82 to the position shownin Fig. 11 which restores the bias to'the rod I62 in the horizontal direction so that the operation of the mechanism is again reset. The ratchet head I I9 is shaped in such a manner that when it is in the latched position it holds this position until the movement is completed.

The purpose of the mechanism described is to alternately release the pair of delivery cups so that they may be alternately brought intothe filling and delivery position and it is apparent that the controlling mechanism can be constructed in a variety of forms of which that shown should be taken as diagrammatic.

A two stage refrigerated vending machine of the type in the present application is described in U. S. Patent 1,799,755, April 7, 1931.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A vending machine comprising a pair of containers, a stem, said containers mounted to rotate on said stem, a supply connected with one end of said stern and a delivery connected with the opposite end of said stem, means for connecting one of said containers with said supply and for connecting the other container with said delivery in one position and means for reversing these connections when said containers are in the reversed position and coin controlled means for changing the position of said containers.

2. A vending machine comprising a pair of containers, a stem connected at one end with a supply and at the opposite end with a delivery orifice, said. containers mounted to rotate on said stem so that one has a raised and the other a low- 5 ered position, means connecting the container in the raised position with said delivery orifice and connecting the container in the lowered position with said supply and coin controlled means for changing the position of said containers.

3. A vending machine comprising a container, a'stem having a supply connected to one end and a delivery orifice connected to the other end, said container being rotatably mounted on said stem, means connecting said container with said supply when rotated in one direction and connecting said container with said delivery orifice when rotated in the opposite direction and coin controlled means for rotating said container.

4. A vending machine comprising a container, a stem having a supply connected to one end and a delivery orifice connected to the other end, said container being rotatably mounted on said stem, means connecting said container with said supply when rotated in one direction and connecting said container with said delivery orifice when rotated in the opposite direction and a toggle mechanism for rotating said container.

5. A vending machine comprising a container, .a stem having a supply connected to one .end

and a .delivery orifice connected to the other end, said container being rotatably mounted on said stem, means connecting said container with said supply when rotated inone direction and connecting said container with said delivery orifice when rotated in the opposite direction and means for automatically completing the rotation of said container after it is initiated.

6. A vending machine comprising a container, a stem having a supply connected to one end of said stem and a delivery orifice connected to the other end of said stem, said container being rotatably mounted on said stem, means connecting said container with said supply when rotated in one direction and connecting said container with said delivery orifice when rotated in the opposite direction and a coin controlled locking bar restricting the movement of said container.

'7. A vending machine as claimed in claim 6 in which the locking bar is alternately moved in opposite directions.

8. A vending machine comprising a pair of containers mounted on a frame having a central aperture, a stem in said aperture forming a pivotal mounting for said frame, said stem having an axial conduit connecting with said containers, a spring clamping said frame on said stem, a toggle mechanism for rocking said frame on said stem and coin controlled means for locking said mechanism.

9. A vending machine comprising a pair of containers mounted on a frame having a central aperture, a stem in said aperture forming a pivotal mounting for said frame, said stern having :an axial conduit terminating atone end connecting with one of said containers and an independent axial conduit terminating at the other end connecting with the other container, said connections being controlled by the positions of said frame on said stem.

10. A vending machine comprising a pair of containers mounted on a frame having a central aperture, a stem in said aperture forming a pivotal mounting for said frame, said stem having an axial conduit from one end and an independent axial conduit from the opposite end with transverse apertures connecting to said conduits and conduits arranged to connect one of said containers with one of said axial conduits when said frame is in one position and with the other axial conduit when the frame is in the opposite position.

11. In a vending machine, a container, a delivery mechanism having two positions obtained by movement in opposite directions for delivering a measured quantity from said container, a locking bar sliding between two positions and releasing said delivery mechanism for one operation in each position and a coin slot mechanism alternately operating said bar to each position when released by a coin.

12. In a vending machine, the combination of a container, a delivery mechanism having two positions obtained by movement in opposite directions for delivering a measured quantity from said container, a locking bar having two positions and releasing said delivery mechanism for one operation in each position, a cup container, and a coin slot mechanism alternately operating :said locking "bar to each position and releasing a cup for each operation.

13. In a vending machine, the combination of a container, a delivery mechanism having two positions obtained by movement in opposite directions for delivering a measured Quantity from said container, a locking bar having two positions and releasing said delivery mechanism for one operation in each position and a coin slot mechanism operated by rotating a handle in one direction alternately operating said locking bar to each position.

14. In a dispensing machine, the combination, a lever, a liquid container and a delivery mechanism, a pair of cup containers mounted for rotation connected with said delivery mechanism and container and means whereby the operation of the lever alternately operates said cup containers in opposite directions for the delivery of liquid from the container and a toggle mechanism for completing the rotation of said containers.

15. A machine as in claim 14 in which each operation of the lever positions one of said cups for filling and the other cup for delivery of the material therefrom.

16. In a dispensing machine, the combination, a material container, a shaft with a passage therein, a pair of cups mounted to rotate on said shaft, a handle for rotating said cups alternately in opposite directions, a mechanism for restricting the movement of said handle and means for connectingsaid cups alternately with said passage.

17. In a dispensing machine, the combination, a material container, a pair of cups connected with said container and mounted for rotation, a handle for rotating said cups in opposite directions, a cup container operated to deliver cups and 'a mechanism operating said cup container to deliver cups and restricting the movement of said handle.

18. A dispensing machine as in claim 17 in which the mechanism operating the cup container is released by a coin slot mechanism.

19. In a dispensing machine, the combination, a locking bar, a container connected with a delivery mechanism, a rotating shaft with a lever thereon for operating said delivery -mechanism, locking means on said shaft engaging said locking bar and arranged so that the shaft is released for each operation of said locking bar for a movement, alternately, in opposite directions.

20. A liquid dispensing machine comprising a pair of containers, a stem, said containers mounted to rotate on said stem, a liquid supply connected with one end of said stem and a delivery connected with the opposite end of said stem, means for connecting one of said containers with said supply and for connecting the other container with the delivery in one position and means for reversing these connections when said containers are in the reversed position.

21. A liquid dispensing machine comprising a pair of containers, a stem connected at one end with a supply and at the opposite end with a delivery orifice, said containers mounted to rotate on said stem so that one has a raised and the other a lowered position and means connecting the container in the raised position with said delivery orifice and connecting the container in the lowered position with said supply.

22. A liquid dispensing machine comprising a container, a pair of cups mounted to be raised and lowered and a valve connecting said cups with said container, a housing for said container and cups, means extending through the wall of said housing for raising and lowering said cups and means for operating said valve to fill the cup in the lower position from said container and for delivering the liquid from the cup in the raised position.

:23. A liquid dispensing machine comprising a container, a pair-of cups mounted to be rotated alternately in opposite directions and to alter-' nately connect with said container and with a delivery orifice, means for initiating the movement of said cups for each direction of rotation and means for automatically completing the movement of rotation.

24. A liquid dispensing machine comprising a main container, a shaft having a passage connected with said main container, a delivery mechanism having a container and mounted for rotation on said shaft, means connecting said container with said passage when in one position and connecting said container for delivery when in the opposite position and means for rotating said mechanism.

25. A liquid dispensing machine comprising a container, a plurality of cups mounted to be raised and lowered, a valve connecting said cups'with said container, means for raising and lowering said cups and operating said valve whereby one of said cups is connected with a delivery orifice and another cup is connected with said container and means for automatically completing the movement of said cups to the raised and lowered positions.

26. A liquid dispensing machine comprising a container, a plurality of cups mounted to be raised and lowered, a valve connecting said cups with said container, means for raising and lowering said cups and operating said valve simultaneously whereby the raised cup is connected with a delivery orifice and the lowered cup is connected with the container.

2'7. A liquid dispensing machine comprising a main container, a stem having a passage connected with said main container and another passage connected with a delivery orifice, a delivery container mounted for rotation on said stem, means connecting said delivery container with the passage connected with the main container in one position and means connecting said delivery container with the delivery passage in another position.

MATTHEW H. LOUGHRIDGE. 

